How can you stay green during your house search?
With energy costs rising and climate concerns becoming more urgent, many buyers are now prioritising sustainability during their house search. If that sounds familiar, you might be interested in learning what specific actions you can take to ensure your search and future home are as eco-friendly as possible.
Look for energy efficiency from the start
Perhaps the best thing you can do to ensure a green home is to check a property’s energy efficiency from the outset. This involves reviewing a building’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and noting any existing energy efficiency measures.
Certain measures to look out for include double- or triple-glazed windows, adequate insulation throughout the home, and efficient heating systems. It’s also worth considering that while many older properties may require expensive renovations and improvements to make them fully efficient, many new homes come with energy-efficient installations by default.
Choose a location with the environment in mind
One of the most effective ways to reduce your environmental footprint is to reduce the amount of driving you do and use personal vehicles; however, this can be challenging in areas that lack adequate transportation options.
That’s why we suggest you look into properties that are surrounded by convenient public transport options or other travel routes. For instance, if you’re happy cycling to work, you might need a suitable cycle path to ensure you can travel safely. On the other hand, an eco-friendly bus route or train station can let you access a network of other towns and cities with a much lower impact.
Ask about sustainable features when viewing
When you go to visit the property, you might want to ask the agent or homeowner about any sustainable features. This might include a new air pump heating system, solar panels, smart thermostats, or even electric car charging points.
Ultimately, the best way to discover what this new property can offer is by speaking directly to its residents and estate agents. By building a better idea of the features within the house, you can also decide for yourself whether it’s sustainable enough to meet your needs.
Minimise waste during your search
One key way to stay green during your house search is by minimising waste. In real terms, that means getting digital copies of brochures, maps, and documents, instead of printing them all. Not only does digital provide a more efficient delivery system, but it also avoids using extra resources.
Additionally, you should consider taking a virtual viewing of the property first. We recommend this to reduce your fuel usage, especially since you may be driving to many different properties and realise on arrival that you shouldn’t have considered them in the first place.